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CHAPTEK VIII. 



THE CORNISH MAIL. 



Tastes of course differ ; but in my opinion there are 

 few more attractive spots than the Lizard Head, on 

 the coast of Cornwall. It is eighteen miles from 

 Falmouth, and eight or ten from Helston. The 

 Lizard ' Town,' as it sees fit to call itself, is perched 

 high up on a tableland, at the verge of the great 

 Goonhilly Downs, overlooking Mount's Bay, the offing 

 of the Fal, and the English Channel generally. 



Here I have retired to consider and concoct many 

 a piece of official scheming, and occasionally from 

 the signal-house on Beast Point, which was once 

 in possession of the Post-Office, have watched and 

 signalled the mail-steamers as they passed to and 

 from Plymouth and Southampton. 



At the same time, the reader must not be led 

 away by my personal predilection for the Lizard 

 to assume that it has a band and a pier, or even 

 bathing-machines and broad sands. Far from it ! 

 The best walking-places are on the tops of the hedges, 

 and although one may bathe in comfort at Kynance 



